With excitement of college bowl season passed, and the National Football League conference champs determined, it’s time to start thinking about the big game … the granddaddy of them all: The Super Bowl.

Whether or not you like to bet on the big game, Reno-Tahoe’s casino resorts treat it like an event, luring potential customers with big promotions, parties and great room rates.

There is perhaps no better excuse to find yourself in Reno-Tahoe, than to watch Pittsburgh and Arizona battle it out after the Biggest Little Tailgate Party. If you aren’t one of the lucky few who has a ticket to the big show in Tampa Bay on Feb. 1, the Biggest Little Tailgate Party is the next best thing.

The outdoor party, held on Virginia Street near the Silver Legacy Resort Casino (the event sponsor) in downtown Reno’s casino corridor, features a $1 million football toss where one lucky “fan” will win a chance to throw the ball for the $1 Million prize. Former professional football players will be in attendance mingling with partygoers. For the true athletes, a $5 Beer Pong Olympics offers a chance to win bragging rights with friends. The event also includes the 2008 Madden Xbox Challenge sponsored by Red Bull with a snowboard as the grand prize.

The giant tailgate party will include a “You Be The Judge” Chili Cook-off. Judge’s tasting ballots will be available for $5 and include 6-ounce tasters of chili from Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Circus Circus, Harrah’s Reno, Cal Neva and more, as well as a raffle ticket for the $1 Million Football Toss. Individual 12-ounce bowls of chili will also be available for purchase at a cost of $3 each. Attendees can vote by purchasing a Tasting Pass and filling out the ballot for their favorite chili recipe.

Other highlights include: Live stage entertainment with the University of Nevada, Reno cheerleaders and mascot, a media challenge where media personalities will compete in a football throwing contest in front of a live audience, and a visit by Joe Cahn, the self-proclaimed “Commissioner of Tailgating.”

Admission is free, and tailgate spots can be purchased for just $50. Visit the events page at VisitRenoTahoe.com for more information on this and other Reno-Tahoe Super Bowl events, or call 1-800-215-7721.